Recovery Resources: Find Help By Need
When disaster impacts your home, work, or community, it can be hard to know where to begin. This page organizes common recovery resources by what you need right now—from food and housing to repairs, income, and emotional support. Some programs listed below are only available after certain disasters and may depend on eligibility requirements, the type and scope of the event, and federal/state decisions (even when a federal disaster declaration is issued). If a resource isn’t active today, it may become available later.
Where to Start
- Call 2-1-1 for local disaster and community resources (available in most areas of Tennessee).
- Connect with local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners or community coalitions coordinating disaster support.
- If a federal Major Disaster Declaration has been approved, visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) if one is open in your area. Nonprofit partners may be onsite and can help connect you to services.
- If you believe a state program may apply, check the responsible agency’s disaster updates and follow application instructions when the program is activated.
Working Together for Recovery
Local nonprofits, faith-based groups, community organizations, and government partners all play important roles in disaster recovery. If you’re not sure what you qualify for, start with the need that is most urgent today, and use the information above to connect with support in your community.
After a disaster, some residents may need accessible transportation, mobility supports, communication assistance, or help with daily activities.
Possible help includes:
- Resource connections for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
- Referrals to local partners that help address access and functional needs
State resources:
When schools or childcare centers close, families may need help with supervision, routines, meals, and recovery planning.
Possible help includes:
- Referrals to community support services and family resource providers
- Help identifying meal services for children and households
Community support you may find locally:
- Community centers, nonprofits, faith-based partners, and local coalitions
Disasters are stressful and can be traumatic. Support is available to help individuals and families cope and regain stability.
Possible help includes:
- Crisis counseling and emotional support
- Spiritual care and community-based support services
- Referrals to mental health providers
Community support you may find locally:
- Local crisis counseling providers, faith-based groups, and nonprofit partners
State resources:
- Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: If you need help now, please call or text 988 and press 0 to talk to someone who can help or start a chat with 988lifeline.org.
People who work on 988 are based locally in Tennessee and are connected to community-based resources that can help. Help is available anytime.
Disasters can create immediate financial strain, such as paying for a hotel, replacing essentials, or covering a utility bill. Some assistance may be available for urgent, short-term needs.
Possible help includes:
- One-time emergency cash assistance (when activated and if eligible)
- Limited nonprofit financial help for urgent essentials
State programs that may be available:
- Tennessee Department of Human Services: One-Time Emergency Cash Assistance may be available after some federally declared disasters.
If you lost your job, work hours, or self-employment income directly because of the disaster, you may qualify for temporary unemployment assistance and local support.
Possible help includes:
- Temporary unemployment benefits for disaster-related job loss
- Help navigating applications and connecting to local resources
State programs that may be available:
- Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development: Disaster Unemployment Assistance may become available if a federal Major Disaster Declaration has been received and FEMA Individual Assistance has been approved.
- If a federal disaster has not been declared, you can work with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce on a job search through their online resources as well as one of the Amercian Job Centers throughout the state.
Food assistance
If you lost food because of a power outage or disaster-related damage, or you need help feeding your household, food assistance may be available through state benefits and local community partners.
Start by visiting feedtn.org to find feeding resources through nonprofits near you.
Other possible help includes:
- Replacement food assistance for disaster-related food loss
- Temporary disaster food benefits (in some federally declared events)
- Prepared/hot food purchasing options during approved periods
- Meals, food boxes, water, and essential supplies from local organizations
State programs that may be available:
Tennessee Department of Human Services:
- Replacement SNAP Benefits: For existing SNAP households that lose food due to power outages or disaster-related causes.
- Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): Temporary food assistance available in certain federally declared disasters.
- Hot Foods Waiver: Allows SNAP benefits to be used for purchasing prepared or hot foods during specific disaster periods.
Some disasters create health-related needs—especially for older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and others who may need extra support navigating services.
Possible help includes:
- Connections to health and support services before, during, and after disasters
- Information and links tailored to at-risk populations
State resources:
After a disaster, many households need help clearing debris, removing fallen trees, or making a home safer to prevent additional damage.
Possible help includes:
- Volunteer teams for yard clearing and minor cleanup
- Help coordinating cleanup support for older adults or households with limited capacity
Community support you may find locally:
- Volunteer organizations and disaster coalitions that coordinate debris cleanup teams
If your home was damaged, recovery may involve repairs, replacement of materials, or rebuilding support. Local partners often provide labor and donated supplies for eligible households.
Possible help includes:
- Volunteer labor and donated materials for repairs
- Help prioritizing and planning next steps through recovery case management
- Long-term recovery coordination and unmet needs support
Community support you may find locally:
- Home repair and rebuilding nonprofits
- Long-term recovery groups and unmet needs committees
If your home is unsafe or you cannot return because of damage, emergency shelter or temporary housing support may be available through local partners.
Possible help includes:
- Emergency shelter options or referrals
- Temporary lodging support (varies by community and available funding)
Community support you may find locally:
- For immediate sheltering needs, find a open shelters on TEMA's interactive sheltering map
- Local nonprofits, faith-based groups, and community coalitions that provide shelter referrals and short-term housing support
If you’re filing an insurance claim, dealing with a damaged vehicle, or unsure what steps to take, consumer guidance can help you protect yourself and move forward.
Possible help includes:
- Steps for filing an insurance claim and documenting damage
- Guidance for damaged vehicles and recovery-related consumer questions
- Tips to avoid scams during cleanup and rebuilding
State resources:
Disaster recovery can involve legal questions about repairs, insurance, landlord/tenant issues, home title, or replacement documents. Legal assistance may be available at low or no cost.
Possible help includes:
- Help with insurance claims or disputes
- Landlord/tenant guidance after damage or displacement
- Disaster-related legal advice for eligible survivors (in some declared events)
Legal aid resources:
- Tennessee Bar Association and partner legal organizations
- Disaster legal aid hotline may be available in federally declared disaster counties
Disasters can interrupt access to prescriptions, medical equipment, and routine care—especially for people who rely on regular treatment or support services.
Possible help includes:
- Help locating open pharmacies or clinics
- Assistance replacing certain medical supplies or durable medical equipment (varies by partner programs)
- Referrals to local health and support services
Where state support may help:
- Tennessee Department of Health: Tennessee Disaster Support Network can help connect residents to support resources, especially for at-risk populations
- Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging may be able to assist with the replacement of medical equipment.
Where federal support may help:
- When disaster strikes, people who do not have health insurance may be able to get help with some of their medical needs through the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP). Uninsured individuals can use EPAP to fill or replace a prescription, get vaccinated, or replace medical supplies and equipment. To qualify for EPAP, you must be uninsured, and you must live in an area where EPAP has been activated. EPAP is not activated for every federally declared disaster.
Many people need help caring for animals after a disaster—whether that means temporary sheltering, food, or veterinary assistance.
Possible help includes:
- Referrals for temporary pet sheltering (where available locally)
- Pet food or supplies (often through local partners)
- Guidance on reconnecting with lost pets and safe animal handling after disasters
Community support you may find locally:
- Local shelters, animal welfare organizations, and community nonprofits (availability varies)
When homes flood, roofs fail, or belongings are destroyed, replacing basic necessities can be a major barrier to recovery.
Possible help includes:
- Clothing, bedding, kitchen items, and household basics
- Furniture and appliance replacement assistance (varies by community)
Community support you may find locally:
- Community service organizations, faith-based partners, and rebuilding nonprofits
Unfortunately, disasters can bring fraudulent contractors, fake charities, and price gouging. If you suspect a scam or unfair pricing, report it.
Possible help includes:
- Scam prevention information
- Price gouging reporting guidance
- Consumer complaint process
State resources:
Some disasters may include tax-related relief or refund programs for eligible survivors.
Possible help includes:
- Sales tax refund for certain eligible survivors who received FEMA Individual Assistance (when applicable)
State resources:
If roads are damaged or closed, staying informed can help you travel safely and reach recovery services.
Possible help includes:
- Real-time traffic conditions, closures, and hazard alerts
State resources:
Power outages can disrupt refrigeration, medical devices, heating/cooling, and communications. Support may be available through community hubs and local partners.
Possible help includes:
- Charging stations and community cooling/warming centers (when opened locally)
- Help replacing spoiled food (see Food Assistance)
- Information on generator and carbon monoxide safety (often shared locally)
Community support you may find locally:
- Community centers, shelters, local nonprofits, and faith-based organizations that serve as resource hubs